It may be nice to think that you can work for 8-10 hours straight, especially when you’re working to a deadline. And some people even take pride in their ability to work for hours on end. But there are many good reasons to give your brain a break to allow it to re-charge and you can even be productive while doing so.
Consider if catching up with your referral partners and the people in your network is a task that can energise you and give you a break from the work you’re doing.
Building and maintaining relationships doesn’t have to take a great deal of time and it doesn’t have to feel like work either. If you’ve chosen the right referral partners; ie people who you enjoy speaking with and hearing from, then it won’t feel like work.
Try this. The next time you take a break, rather than scrolling through your social media feed or going for a walk (ahem… while still checking your email), use the time for a quick catch up with a referral partner. Say hello, ask how they’re doing, find out what’s new or what you can help with and let them know the same for you. See how you feel after your chat, do you feel excited and energised? If so, keep it up every so often.
If it’s hard for you to stop working, then schedule these breaks for yourself, or set an alarm as a reminder. Go for a quick walk and make a call or grab a cup of coffee or lunch with someone. It’s best to take at least a five-minute break every hour or two.
Finally, know your limits and understand when you need a social break and when you need to completely tune out and re-charge for a few minutes.